Brett Favre has commenced what is becoming an annual summer tradition -- throwing passes to high school wide receivers in Hattiesburg, Miss., while the Minnesota Vikings wait on his decision to play or not.
Another summer of Favre
They say the Fourth of July is the unofficial start of summer. But to NFL.com's Adam Rank, summer doesn't officially start until Brett Favre starts tossing the ball to high schoolers in Mississippi. **More ...**
Oak Grove High School coach Nevil Barr said Thursday that Favre has made occasional appearances at the team's workouts after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle in late May. The 40-year-old quarterback most recently showed up Thursday, according to the *Minneapolis Star Tribune*.
"(Favre) has been hit-and-miss with coming to practice," Barr told The Associated Press. "But lately he's been there about every time we go out. Most of the time, he doesn't stay for the whole practice, but he usually drops by for at least an hour or so."
Favre also threw to Oak Grove's receivers last year when he was deciding whether or not to join the Vikings. Favre ended up in Minnesota and led the team to the NFC Championship Game with one of his best seasons.
Favre hasn't told the Vikings whether or not he will return for a second season in Minnesota, but the first sign that he's considering it came two months ago when he had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle to remove scar tissue and bone spurs. He later said that he'd love payback against the New Orleans Saints, who defeated the Vikings for the NFC title.
Barr told the Star Tribune that Favre's arm is "great like always," but the coach wouldn't speculate on the condition of the quarterback's surgically repaired ankle.
The Vikings have said they will give Favre all the time he needs to make a decision. Barr believes that decision will be more about Favre's desire to play than the health of his ankle or arm.
"He can still throw it," Barr said, according to The AP. "There shouldn't be any question about whether he can still sling it, because he can."
Former Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter believes Favre has that desire. Carter told the players at the NFL Rookie Symposium on Wednesday that Favre's return to Minnesota is all but certain.
"Brett Favre, coming back for year No. 20," Carter said. "Yeah, he's coming back. Like, don't trip. Everyone knows that. Anyone alive around the NFL knows Brett Favre is coming back. You all can release that today: Brett Favre is coming back."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
